The game is billed as a multiplayer title and is rightfully so
The place where gameplay really shines is in multiplayer. It is fun four-player action - right up there with Nintendo’s Super Smash Brothers: Melee. In fact, Gauntlet is currently the only GameCube game where you can play in a 4 player cooperative mode. The minor differences in character types make it fun, as the heavy magic users can stay back while the stronger characters can charge the front line.
The game has touch of an RPG element, with an experience and leveling-up system. As your character levels up, he or she will gain strength and hit points. Also, after attaining certain levels, the character will gain increased firepower, and ultimately a class-specific ability to use. Also, there is a simple item management system, where you can turn the power-ups that you have found on and off, but beware, each power-up will only last a short amount of time.
Unfortunately, there are a few bugs in the game, which makes it seem like a rushed product, especially for a port. The most annoying bug is the "disappearing-items" trick. If you access your inventory (using UP on the D-pad) some of your item names will not show up. If you turn on the power-up, the name will then appear, but this gets pretty annoying, as well as dangerous if you are trying to use your power-ups while getting swarmed by enemies.